If you’re looking for a furry friend to add to your family, the Westerly Animal Shelter is the perfect place to start your search. Big dogs, little dogs, cats of all colors, and even the occasional bunny – they’re all waiting for their forever homes at the Westerly Animal Shelter, located at 33 Larry Hirsch Lane.
There are so many factors to consider when it comes to adding a new pet to your family, but that’s just another one of the wonderful things the Westerly Animal Shelter helps you do. Whether you love to exercise or prefer to loaf around on the couch, if you’re living alone or have a boisterous clan at home, there’s a pet with a personality to match virtually any lifestyle. You just have to be forthright about your preferences, and maybe a little patient, and let the shelter staff help guide you to your new best friend.
Helping to re-home animals is, of course, a crucial component of the daily happenings at the shelter, but the responsibilities of the organization don’t end there. In addition to transporting animals from high-kill shelters to their facility as space allows and caring for surrendered or lost pets, they also provide obedience training and health care for them, including spaying and neutering, dental care, and vaccinations.
They offer pet care education for the public through a variety outreach programs, such as a summer camp for elementary school kids in cooperation with YMCA Camp Watchaug which features daily activities, hands-on lessons in pet care with small pets like guinea pigs and birds, and guest speakers from the community. They have also partnered with several local schools to provide internships for teens and a chance for children to practice their reading skills with a furry captive audience.
Most recently, the shelter has teamed up with Dr. John Turco to open a low-cost Wellness Clinic which is open to everyone, from 4pm-8pm on Thursdays. The Clinic offers 15 minute examinations, vaccinations, and microchipping. If any health-related concerns or issues are detected, patients will be referred by Dr. Turco for further attention and care. You can see a menu of services and vaccines and make appointments through the Shelter’s website.
On top of all of this, the staff is friendly and welcoming. The goal of the organization is to ensure that every animal is in a loving home, so they also want to emphasize the fact that they are a judgement-free zone. If you find you are unable to care for your current pet, for whatever reason, please reach out and let them help you.
Stop by sometime to learn more about the organization. The staff will be happy to see you, and the animals will be thrilled.
